Significant Life Lessons

In 1930’s Maycomb Alabama, a young woman is stirring up a sleepy town by accusing an African American man of rape. Mayella Ewell, a poor white woman has wrongly accused Tom Robinson of sexually assaulting her in her own home. Her testimony, as well as her fathers’, have gaping holes in them. Their stories do not coincide, and it is even implied that Mayella’s father may have been sexually abusing her.(DBQ Mayella page 15 Chapters 18 and 20) The lack of sufficient evidence and Tom Robinson’s claim that Mayella had made advances toward him should have been enough for the jury to find Tom not guilty, but unfortunately, that was not the case. Instead, the jury believed Mayella’s deceitful testimony, and Tom was sent to jail, which ultimately led to his death. Mayella used her position in society to manipulate the court, and dispose of the only evidence of her mistake. Mayella Ewell is powerful as defined by class, gender, and especially race.

Tom Robinson’s role in this book shows a lot of prejudice. He is a black man convicted of raping a white women. This book is set in the 1930s, during this time period the Jim Crow Laws were still in place and racism was big. ‘You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?’ Mr. Gilmer seemed ready to rise to the ceiling” (Lee, pg 197). Tom Robinson is talking about how he felt sorry for Miss Mayella, who is white. Mr Gilmer gets very upset stating that a nigger should not feel sorry for a white woman. "There's something in our world that makes men lose their heads -- they couldn't be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins. They're ugly, but those are the fact of life.” (Lee, pg.220) Atticus is talking to the kids about how Tom Robinson will get the death sentence because of the color of his skin and how the jury looks at him. He talks about there is no court in Alabama that would’ve gave him something less. Basically it was Tom against a town full of white folks. Tom is a big symbol of prejudice in the book.

The Maycomb jury accused Tom Robinson guilty of rape of Mayella Ewell, not because they truly thought he was guilty; he was wrongfully convicted because of our town’s long time “honor code” of our society. Our “honor code” is nothing but a meaningless, unbroken rule saying that all whites are infallible, while all negroes are immoral and can’t be trusted around anyone. If a white person were to break this “code”, that person would be considered an outcast in our town. Of course, as I’ve said before, some whites and negroes are immoral and can’t be trusted around anyone. Take the Ewells, for example. Maycomb despises them, and barely keeps them isolated from the rest of town. They represent Maycomb’s worst side, but their word is still taken over a black man’s word, simply because they’re white. None of the jury members wanted to risk their own reputations and be

Tom Robinson was a black man, who was allegedly accused of rape based off of very bad evidence. Despite the bad evidence, he was still convicted. From this case the reader could see how bad the prejudice was in Maycomb towards black people, but it didn’t stop there. Not only was Tom Robinson treated unfairly, but as well Atticus, the lawyer who decided to defend him. Atticus was verbally assaulted daily in the town, due to his decision of defending a black

Throughout the story, Tom Robinson is continually faced with the issue of inequality due to racism. During the trial, Mr. Ewell declares, “---I seen that black nigger yonder, ruttin’ on my Mayella!” (Lee 196). This demonstrates how people talk to blacks, they speak to them like they have no worth, almost like they are animals. In this example, Mr. Ewell seems to be assuming the worst, just like the rest of the court, mainly because Tom is black. Tom and Atticus have all the evidence that he is innocent, but it is all overlooked because of racism. This led to Tom dealing with the consequences of something he did not do, which eventually led to his death due to trying to escape prison. His death was really due to trying to escape the racism that Tom could no longer put up with. Tom

As the case went on and the evidence started to get pieced together, Atticus’s argument for Tom got stronger. But when the jury decided that he was guilty Atticus truly was expecting this outcome, he knew the ignorance and the pride of the people in Maycomb. For example, on page 243, it states, “Its not time to worry yet, Atticus reassured him, as we went to the dining room. We’re not through yet. There’ll be an appeal, you can count on that.” He is still hopeful that Tom has a chance. After he put all the evidence together and made the whole town realize the truth about this trial, he has faith that Maycomb will make the right decision the second time around. While in court giving his speech Atticus opened up a closed door to the people of Maycomb and the jury to make them realize a minor detail that they didn’t really look into. In addition to, on page 232 it states, “You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not trusted around women- black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and no particular race of men. There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, …” Atticus wanted to make sure that they knew all men were made equally regardless of race. Since Tom Robinson was a black man majority of them instantly assumed he was guilty. Never has a black man beat a white man in court and they want it to stay that

This young, African American man is accused of rape by Bob Ewell, but in reality he had done nothing that was inhumane or unlawful. The majority of the white community in Maycomb automatically believe that he is guilty just because he's black. In Atticus's eyes, Tom is innocent and deserves the same justice and support as whites do. In the court case, he tries to make the audience in the courthouse set aside racism by saying, "[T]he truth is that some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men" (ch. 20).

Mayella accuses Tom Robinson of raping her because the bruises on her face would have to be explained. Mayella is aware that if the news spread that she had been the one to kiss him, she would have been shunned by the white community. The logical way for the Maycomb community to find out what really happened was to hear from both sides of the story. However, because Tom Robinson is considered the “lesser being” the jury sides with Mayella without evidence simply because she is white. When the dispute is taken to Judge Taylor, Atticus does his best to prove Tom’s innocence.

During the trial Tom Robinson is accused of rape even though he could not have done it. During Atticus’ speech he says, “Her father saw it, and the defendant has testified as to his remarks. What did the father do? We don’t know, but there is circumstantial evidence to indicate that Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely with someone who led almost exclusively with his left. We do know that in part what Mr. Ewell did: he did what any God-fearing, persevering, respectable white man would do under the circumstance- he swore out a warrant, no doubt signing it with his left hand, and Tom Robinson now sits before you, having taken the oath with the only good hand he possesses- his right hand.” Atticus is saying that there is no way Tom Robinson could have done the crime, and that he is being falsely accused. The trial has Tom being guilty, which shows the racial injustice because Tom Robinson would not have had a powerful enough left hand to lead with, which means he was shown guilty because he was black and speaking against a white

Tom, a black man was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white women, and she took it to court. Mr. Gilmer questions, “‘You're a mighty good fellow, it seems—did all this for not one penny?’ ‘Yes, suh. I felt right sorry for her, she seemed to try more'n the rest of 'em-‘ ‘You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?’ Mr. Gilmer seemed ready to rise to the ceiling.” (Lee, 264). Tom was a good guy, so it didn’t make much sense on why Mayella tried to make him look like some monster that raped her. It was easy for Mayella to make Tom look bad, because Tom (a black man) doesn’t nearly have as good as a life as Mayella, (a white woman). Yet, Tom tells everyone that he feels bad for Mayella. In their society, Tom shouldn’t think this because in everyone else’s minds, he isn’t the same and can’t be better than her so how could he feel bad for her? However he acknowledges that he feels bad for Mayella and wanted to help her. Tom was accused of something he did not do because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Mayella got away with accusing Tom because she’s white and he’s black, symbolizing another example of a mockingbird in Maycomb. Later, Tom was shot 17 times trying to run out of jail because he knew he was supposed to be a freeman. Scout explains, “Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men's hearts Atticus had no case. Tom

He was a married black man who lived next to a white Ewell family. This family accused Tom of raping Mayella, Bob Ewell’s daughter. Tom’s trials took place in the court with Atticus as his lawyer. Atticus was a non- racist man, unlike the other lawyers who never supported nor tried to help out any niggers sent to court. The Ewells were not very educated and had a low class in the society. But even that being said, the jury in the court had taken their side as they they were white. As Tom was black, with no fault, he was sentenced to death. This shows the great discrimination that stirred in Maycomb. Over that, Mayella and Bob even lied under oath on their trials and tried to make up stories. “-- I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella!” (Lee 285). This quote is one of the lies that Bob Ewell brought with him, trying to falsely blame Tom. When asked by Atticus if Mayella remembered Tom hitting her, she hesitates and says, “No, I don’t recollect if he hit me. I mean yes I do, he hit me” (Lee 305). Her hesitation surely proves that she had planned to lie and bring down Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson being shot innocent made some of the people in the court realize the truth and how misjudged Tom’s identity

Mayella Ewell pressed charges against Tom Robinson because she needed someone to blame for her father, Bob Ewell’s wrong doings. It was a cry for help and Tom Robinson was an innocent bystander that was sadly caught in the mess of their issues. In TKAM, Tom Robinson was unfairly treated in a rude, awful, and disgusting manner. In Maycomb County, especially, the colour of Tom’s skin was the cause of prejudice and racism. Tom Robinson is forced to disregard all of the hate towards him in fear he will lash out and hurt someone. At the end of trial, Tom is found guilty, even though he is innocent, because the jury is composed of all white people. As an African American Tom will have no respect from people of other races at this period of time. If he treats people in the same way as he gets treated he will end up dead or in prison. We see this in the trial when Mayella bosses Tom around to do her chores but imagine if Tom were to ask her to do his chores do you think that Mayella Ewell would have the same respectful answer? Although, this was the socially acceptable 60 years back. For example if Tom Robinson would've said even a politely disagreed to help Mayella complete her chores, she would have lashed, out yelled offensive words and offending Tom. In Tom’s everyday life, he has to think about all of these little things to remain safe, but Jem and Scout would never have to think like him because of the colour their skin. Atticus’s statement helped them understand how present racism is in their

During Tom Robinson’s trial, Atticus had said “She was white, and tempted a Negro. She did something that in our society is unspeakable, she kissed a black man.” It was certain that Tom Robinson would be convicted solely because he is a black man.” The result had been unjust because not only did Tom not rape Mayella, he was resisting her attempt to kiss him and did not deserve to be accused of rape. The decision of Tom’s trial is a form of Social Injustice and the deciding factor was racism.

When Atticus Finch says, "You never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them" he is saying that you can not judge someone until you can see life through their eyes. He is talking to Scout about Miss Caroline, because she was having trouble understanding the traditions of people in Maycomb, since she had just recently moved there. Atticus told Scout to "climb in their skin and walk around in it" and it made Scout realize that Miss Caroline couldn't possibly, "learn all Maycomb's ways in one day" so she decided to forgive her for getting her in trouble. This crucial piece of moral advice will prove to guide Scout's development for the rest of the novel. The next time this quote comes into the book is when Atticus

Since TKAMB takes place during the Great Depression, which was around the mid-1930s, there will be huge prejudice to others. In this era, white people criticized and did not take liking of the Negroes. So, when Mayella’s father, Mr. Bob Ewell proclaimed that Tom Robinson -a Negro- had raped her, everyone in town believed that such a thing was true. Considering how most whites in the county of Maycomb was racially prejudiced and the many blacks that shunned Tom’s family because of this act, everyone, including Atticus, knew that Tom had a slight chance of being found innocent. During the trail, Mr. Gilmer, who was Mayella’s lawyer, used this to his advantage, this power of discrimination, to make Tom say something that nobody liked to hear. “You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?’ Mr. Gilmer seemed ready to rise to the ceiling. The witness realized his mistakes…but the damage was done. Below us, nobody liked Tom Robinson’s answer.”(264) This shows how Mr. Gilmer made Tom appear as if he felt superior to Mayella-another form of power- something that would make a racist white man boil with anger. This is just one of the many ways power seems to pop up throughout the pages of the